Contraceptive device and method of employing same

ABSTRACT

A male contraceptive device which comprises a plug having a coating of fabric on its outer walls. The plug is inserted in the vas deferens. The fabric coating allows for the ingrowth of cells from the wall of the vas deferens into the fabric. This provides for complete occlusion of the vas deferens to prevent passage of the sperm therethrough.

ilriited States Patent Nuwayser [54] CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE AND METHOD OFEMPLOYING SAB/[E [72] Inventor: Elie S. Nuwayser, Peabody, Mass.

I I J. .1 M [73] Assignee: Abcor, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.

[22] Filed: Oct. 2, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 77,434

[52] US. Cl. ..l28/l R, 128/127, 128/334 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lb 19/00[58] Field of Search ..128/1 R, 127, 303 R, 334 R,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1971 Lee ..128/1R 10/19718/1971 7/1962 Hoeltzenbein 128/348 Shah ..128/1 R' Read ..128/l R 1enemies [451 Aug.29, 11972 FOREIGN PA'IEN'IS OR APPLICATIONS 591,509 8/1947 Great Britain 5 128/334 R OTHER PUBLICATIONS Ghidoni et a1. SurgeryJan. 1969 V01. 65, No. 1 pp.

70-77 McDonald et al. Trans. Amer. Soc. Artif. Inter. Organs Vol. XIV1968- pp. 176-180 Primary Examiner-Dalton L. Truluck Attorney -RichardP. Crowleyand Richard L. Stevens ABSTRACT A male contraceptive devicewhich comprises a plug having a coating of fabric on its outer walls'.The plug is inserted-in the vas deferens. The fabric coating allows forthe ingrowth of cells from the wall of the vas deferens into the fabric.This provides for complete occlusion of the vas deferens to preventpassage of the sperm therethrough.

34 Claims, 5 Drawingfigum PATENTED M1829 1972 lllll FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

INVENTOR H C VI 8 ATTORNEYS CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE AND METHOD OF EMPLOYINGS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many approaches are currently in use forthe prevention of conception. These have been very aptly summarized inthe report on Population/Family Planning, issued by the PopulationControl and International Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction.Briefly, the methods are: coitus interruptus, postcoital douche,prolonged lactation, condum, vaginal diaphragm, spermacides, rhythmmethod, oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, and surgicalsterilization. During the past decade, interest in family planning andbirth control has intensified as the result of the rapid rise in worldpopulation and increased use of its natural resources. It is nowbelieved that only through population control and management ofresources can the ratio of resources to man be kept within an acceptablelevel. The sterilization of the male has received increased attention asa method for family planning. However, vasectomy is primarily anirreversible method of sterilization and accordingly is performed on apermanent basis. Although it is a simple surgical procedure, vasectomyhas not become popular since it is difficult to ensure that fecunditycan be restored if desired.

Attempts have been made, primarily in animals, to achieve reversiblemale sterilization by vas occlusion using various techniques, such asinsertion of a piece of plastic material, electrocoagulation, chemicalcauterization, nonoperative vasoligature and placement of nonreactivesuture material. Of these, the last named application has proved to bethe most satisfactory.

Although the passage of sperm may be blocked by placing various sizes ofsurgical nylon thread or surgical silk thread into the vas deferens asan intravasal thread and the luminal patency of the vas could berestored by removing the thread, this method is not entirelysatisfactory. The surgical thread in a small portion of the experimentsconducted revealed that the vas dilated probably because of theincreased intravasal pressure caused by continued deposition of spermdue to imbalance between the spermatogenesis and spermatolysis in thetestis.

To avoid the vasal dilatation around the intravasal thread and toenhance the restoration of patency of the vasal lumen, certain stepswere taken to overcome these drawbacks. The insertion of the intravasal,which in effect blocked passage of the sperm, inhibited the passage ofthe sperm in a majority of cases. However, the dilation caused by theocclusion allowed the sperm to flow through the outer portion of theintravasal thread and the inner wall of the vas. Also, in some casestissue reaction was noted.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention is directed to a vasocclusive plug for use as a male contraceptive device. As stated above,currently plugs are being made with a smooth surface, such as theintravasal thread. When they are implanted in the vas deferens, they maynot react with the tissue; however, they do not permit growth of thetissue. Since their wall is very smooth and since the sperm is verysmall, it can travel between the wall of the plug and the intimal wallof the vas. In my invention, the plug is coated with a material whichwill permit the ingrowth of tissue therein, thereby preventing aslippage of the sperm at the material tissue junction. The plug iscoated with a very fine layer or fabric, such as nonwoven nylon fabricand/or flocking the surface with a fine layer of nylon or polyester orother type of flock. in this way, the plug may be implanted in the vasdeferens, the tissue will grow into the fabric coating thereby fixingthe plug in place.

In a preferred embodiment, the head of the plug rather than the entireouter wall is characterized by having bonded thereto a very fine layerof flock or fabric. In addition to the flock, the head may be made byattaching to the device fabric structures which are useful for theingrowth of tissue, such as woven, nonwoven, knitted, etc., fabricstructures.

In the selection of the plug material, the primary consideration is thechoice of an appropriate material which is compatible with the tissue ofthe host vessel. For example, organic materials, such as polymericmaterials which would include silicones, fluorinated polymers, celluloseand its derivatives, polyesters, polyolefins, vinyls, polyamides, etc.,may be used. Inorganic materials and metallic materials, such asstainless steel, etc., also may be used. The plug may be of anystructure, either solid or hollow, cylindrical, oval, elliptical, etc.The advantage of using a hollow plug is that it may be saturated orfilled with hormones or other drugs which may influence the rate oftissue ingrowth or may be spermicidal or may have some otherphysiological action.

A further advantage of using a hollow plug for the main body of thedevice is that it would facilitate the reversibility of the device if ata future date it is decided to allow the sperm to pass through the vasand therefore establish fertility. By having a hollow plug for the mainbody, the passage initially sealed could be reopened such as by cuttingacross the plug at both ends in order to open up a channel for thepassage of spermatozoa, or by removing a pin from the passage. Thiswould greatly facilitate the surgical procedure and reduce the traumaticeffect at the site of implantation.

Accordingly, my device overcomes some of the difficulties of vasocclusion by providing a plug which would eliminate clotting andinfection, and provides for fixation of the device in reference to thevas deferens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration ofa plug having a fabric coating on a portion thereof;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the device inserted in the vasdeferens;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the flock attached to thedevice;

FIGS. 4a and b are schematic illustrations of an alternative embodimentof the device; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the hollow plug having a fabric coating onthe outer wall and a fabric lattice on the inner wall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ElViBODIMENTS FIG. I shows in schematicform a device 10 which is composed of a plug or filament 12 which variesfrom 50 to 400 microns in diameter, say for example to 200 microns indiameter. The filament as shown is solid and is composed of a polymericmaterial such as a polyester, for example DACRON (a trademark of Bi. duPont de Nemours & Co., Inc.). The head 12 of the plug is composed of alayer of adhesive coating 16 covering a portion of the outer wall of theentire plug body. To overcome infection, but primarily to enhancefixation, bonded into this adhesive layer is a very fine layer of flock18, such as a DACRON flock.

The outer wall of the device may also be coated with a fabric, such as avelour fabric. This allows for the ingrowth of surrounding tissue intothe fabric and fixes the device permanently in the host vessel. Thematerial which form the fabric or fabric layers may be either woven ornonwoven and formed from a variety of organic polymers and also frominorganic compounds which offer the advantages of inertness, completestability, and a wide range of surface properties. The fabric may beprepared from hot melt polymer extrusion apparatus capable of producingfilaments as fine as 0.1 to 2 microns, say for example from 0.1 to 1.0microns, from various thermoplastic materials. The fabric may also beprepared using polyblend membranes and matting processes.

The plug may be inserted in the vas by making two incisions at eitherend of an exposed vas and then drawing the plug through the vasal lumenas shown in FIG. 2 until positioned where desired.

A plug similar to that shown in FlG. l of approximately 2 centimeters inlength having a DACRON flocking thereon was bonded to a siliconepolycarbonate rubber filament through the use of a silicone rubberadhesive. The adhesive coated filament was flocked with the DACRONflock, such as electrostatically. The plugs were implanted in 16 humans.After a period of 20 days there was no sperm reappearance in any of the16 cases. After an average implantation period of 80 days, there was nosperm reappearance and no inflammation signs, pain, or discomfort. Aftera period of 80 days, in three cases the plugs were removed and there wassperm reappearance after twenty days. The sperm count after reappearancewas 10 to 50 million sperms per milliliter.

Referring to FIGS. 4a and b, an alternative embodiment of the plug isshown. This particular plug incorporates a removable pin 26, which isadapted to be placed inside the hollow fiber 2A and anchored on one sidethereof with adhesive. The fiber may be comprised of a cellulose resinsuch as cellulose acetate. The pin may be made of stainless steel orother suitable polymer. After implantation in the vas, tissue will growand anchor the filamentous flock on the hollow fiber surface. If at afuture date it is desired to open this duct, the pin may be removedleaving a straight hollow tube approximately 0.25 millimeters indiameter for the flow of sperm therethrough. This reversibility featureeliminates the problem of rejoining a severed vas which may only be 20to percent successful. Also, if the coated plug of my invention is usedas a solid plug, then its removal would require more delicate surgeryand shear the wall of the vas. Another feature of the removable pin isthat if sterilization is to be effected again, this may be accomplishedby reinserting a pin, such as 26, into the passage thus occluding theflow of sperm therethrough.

lnthe formation of fabrics to permit cell growth, thematting process isparticularly useful for the inorganic materials which are now availablein extremely fine diameter filaments. in a selection of materials toproduce the fabric the most important consideration is one that willpermit good cell attachment. Among some of the parameters consideredare: ionic functionability of the polymer (anionic and cationic);varying exchange capacity; surface-free energy; and chemical treatmentof surfaces to effect surface-free energy in wetting properties (andprobably self-spreading qualities). In the preparation of the fabric, ifthe hot melt polymer extrusion method is used, fibers may be preparedfrom a variety of thermoplastic materials including nylon, polyesters,polyethylene, polystyrene, polymethacrylate and others.

In addition to the hot melt polymer extrusion process for forming thelattices, there is a wide range of organic and inorganic fibers whichare inert and stable and may be used as viable, compatible materials,for example carbon, the glasses, etc. For these materials, the mats,particularly nonwoven mats, may be prepared by filtering dilutesuspensions or filaments or fine screens or filters. The mats may thenbe attached directly to the fibers which form the device, either bydirect bonding or by lamination. Still another method of producing acell-holding surface is via an open-cell sponge".

ln bonding the fabric to a substrate, depending upon the thickness ofthe fabric desired, there are various methods which may be employed. Forexample, vapor phase bonding where exposure of a cold polymer surface tohot concentrated solvent vapor produces a very thin solvent deposit onthe surface. This deposit will in turn dissolve the polymer and make thesurface tacky. if the two surfaces are brought in contact and heldtogether until the solvent is removed, they will adhere. Also, solventetching is advantageous for polymer webs and mats that are of a greaterthickness than the fine fabric produced by vapor phase bonding, butwhich still possesses the desired filaments diameter and fabricgeometry.

In the technique of controlled solvent etching the fabric is completelyembedded in a polymer matrix, for example nylon, acrylic, etc., to forma fabric film laminate. The laminate is then treated with a solventwhich removes the matrix film gradually from the surface until thedesired thickness of the fabric lattice is exposed. Excess matrixpolymers may be removed from the fabric web with a diluted solvent and anonsolvent.

Heat bonding may also be employed, and one of the more important factorsin heat bonding of fabric web in mats to a sheet of polymer is, ofcourse, temperature control. A very rapid rise in the polymertemperature results in complete melting of the film and subsequent totalembedding of the fabric in the melted polymer. This point becomesimmediately apparent during the determination of the melting point of anorganic compound. A gradual rise in temperature is necessary in order toensure only softening of the polymer surface. The fabric is thenimpressed on the soft surface with an embossed press to ensure theformation of cell-entrapping loops. This technique lends itselfparticularly to the fabrication of composites from fiber mats of carbonand glass wool. These fibers possess a very high melting point andtherefore any suitable thermoplastic using a substrate polymer whosemelting point is lower than the fabric material.

A further technique is negative casting wherein a fabric mat,particularly a very thin fabric mat, is rolled into a layer of suitableadhesive having a predetermined thickness. Onto this composite is poureda layer of medical grade silicone rubber adhesive or polyurethane whichvulcanizes at room temperature. When the polymer is cured, the solubleadhesive layer is removed by washing in a solvent which does notdissolve the cured polymer layer. This exposes a fabric lattice having athickness equivalent to the soluble adhesive. The process dependsprimarily on the selection of an adhesive which is soluble and remainstacky and gelatinous for at least ten minutes after casting onto a flatsurface.

A still further method is adhesive bonding which includes a directbonding of fiber mats and webs to substrate material and is particularlyapplicable for bonding thicker mats to desirable substrates. For verysheer lattices or fabrics, the adhesive is applied by spraying thecomposite with a dilute solution of the adhesive in a volatile solvent.

The plug device has been described primarily in reference to theapplication of a fabric lining on the outer wall of the plug. When ahollow plug is used as shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to coat theinner wall of the hollow tube with a fine fabric lattice to promote cellgrowth thereon. This would be applicable when the pin 26 of FIG. 4 isremoved to provide the reversibility as desired. Upon the removal of thepin and the resumption of the flow of the sperm through the passagewayleft therein, the fine fabric lattice on the inside wall would thenpromote the growth of a cellular layer thereon.

As is generally known, the number of cellular layers supported by thelattice is related to the original thickness of the lattice. If desiredto facilitate growth of cells, the lattice may be seeded with a cellularsuspension obtained from the host vessel. The fabric lattice wouldsupport the growth on endothelial cells such as would be found on theinner wall of the vasal lumen. Referring to FIG. 5, a sectional view isshown of the hollow fiber where the plug has been removed. The vasallumen is shown at 28, the cell ingrowth into the fabric layer shown as30, the fabric layer shown as 32, the inner wall of the hollow fibershown as 34, the fabric lattice shown as 36 and the endothelial cellscoating said fabric layer are shown at 38. Accordingly, by coating theouter wall of the reversible plug with a fabric, this provides the cellingrowth into the fabric to provide fixation of the plug. ifreversibility is desired, once the pin 26 of FIG. 4a is removed, thenthe fabric lattice on the inside of the hollow fiber will permit thegrowth of the'endothelial cells thereon as shown in FIG. 5. The webswhich form the fabric lattice may be either woven or preferably nonwovenand formed from a variety of organic polymers and from inorganiccompounds which offer the advantages of inertness, complete stability,and a wide range of surface properties. The selection of the fabric,velour or flock, inner lining for the hollow tube is made bearingsimilar considerations in mind as were made for the fabric coating onthe outer wall of the device. That is, the material should be compatiblewith the cell structure or type of cells in the surrounding tissue whichwill grow into and attach to the fabric lattice. Also, similar materialson construction as were used for the outer fabric may also be used forthe inner fabric. The lamination or preparation of the inner wall of thedevice may be accomplished in any of several ways such as outlined forthe preparation of the fabric on the outer wall. Further, additiveswhich would control the growth of the cells may be incorporated into thefabric material. Additionally, the fabric velours or flocks may be wovenor nonwoven and made from material similar to those used in thepreparation of the outer fabric and may be incorporated onto or withinthe polymer surface or wall surface in a manner similar to that as thefabric.

In another embodiment, the entire plug, either solid or hollow, may bemade out of a soluble suture material such as cat gut, collagen,gelatin, starches, such as cross-linked polysaccharides, which areessentially materials adapted to be dissolved by tissue enzymes.Depending upon how long an individual such as a male, was to besterilized, the degree of tanning or cross-linking of the plug materialcan be varied whereby it may dissolve from two weeks to three years bythe tissue enzymes. In this situation if sterilization is only requiredsay for a period of 2 years, then such a plug as shown in FIG. ll may beinserted, the outer fabric wall will provide the fixation desired, andthen at the end of the 2 year period enough of the plug will havedissolved to provide a passageway for the sperm therethrough. In anotherembodiment as shown in FIG. 4, a hollow tube may be used with the innerwall either coated or uncoated with a lattice and the pin may beconstructed of suitable material whereby it will dissolve within theprescribed time.

Additionally, material may be used for which the solid plug, hollowplug, or pin may be composed, which materials would dissolve upon theintroduction of a dissolving agent into the vas deferens. For example,the pin 26 of HG. 4 may be composed of a material noninjurious to thebody, such as a cellulose. When it is desired to restore fecundity, adissolving agent noninjurious to body tissue, such as an enzyme, forexample a cellulase enzyme, may be added dissolving the pin thus freeingthe passage for the flow of sperm therethrough.

Accordingly, the invention provides a very simple and effective methodof male sterilization which can be reversed. Although described inconnection with a vas plug, it is of course obvious that the sameconcept and device may be used for a fallopian plug. Recent studies withsilicone rubber implants in the fallopian tube have shown that suchplugs are readily dislodged by normal tubular motility and can beextruded intraabdominally. Of course, if such a plug is made from thedevice of my invention, that is a flock hollow fiber packed with aremovable pin, it will be anchored by the adjoining tissue and may bereversed by removing the pin. This could be accomplished by injecting afluid into the fallopian tube to dilate the tube, inserting the plug,and when the tube retracts, the plug would be held in place until suchtime as the tissue commences to grow into the fabric wall.

Having described my invention, what l now claim is:

1. A device for the reversible occlusion of a body cavity, such as a vasdeferens or fallopian tube, which device comprises:

a. a plug-like structure adapted to be inserted into a body cavity toprovide occlusion of the cavity, the structure characterized by an outersurface;

b. a fabric means disposed on and secured to at least a portion of theouter surface of the plug-like structure to provide for fixation oftissues to the fabric means through the growth of cells therein; and

c. all or a part of the device composed of a material adapted to bedissolved by enzymes while in the body cavity within a predeterminedperiod of time, thereby permitting removal of the occlusion of the bodycavity by the device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug-like structure is composed ofa material adapted to be dissolved by the tissue enzymes.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the fabric means is composed of amaterial adapted to be dissolved by the tissue enzymes.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is composed of a materialadapted to be dissolved by the introduction of a dissolving agent.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug is generally cylindricallyshaped and composed of solid polymeric material.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug comprises a hollow tube-likestructure, and wherein said plug is sealed at either end thereof.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug comprises a hollow tube-likestructure, and includes a removable pin disposed therein and adapted toseal said plug.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the pin is composed of a materialadapted to be dissolved by the action of enzymes within a predeterminedperiod of time.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is composed of a materialcomprising catgut, collagen, gelatin, starch, cellulose and cross-linkedpolysaccharides dissolvable by enzymes.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the fabric means comprises a flockmaterial.

1 l. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug-like structure comprises asilicone rubber, and the fabric means comprises a polyester or nylonmaterial.

12. A contraceptive device for the reversible occlusion of a vasdeferens, which device comprises:

a. a hollow tube-like structure adapted to be inserted into the lumen ofthe vas deferens to provide occlusion of the sperm through the lumen,the tubelike structure characterized by an outer and inner surface;

. a fabric means disposed on and secured to at least a portion of theouter surface to provide for fixation of the tissues from the inner wallof the lumen to the fabric means through the growth of cells therein;

. a removable pin disposed within the tube-like structure and adapted toseal said structure; and

. all or part of the device composed of a material adapted to bedissolved within a predetermined period of time, thereby permittingremoval of the occlusion caused by the device in the vasal lumen.

13. A method for sterilization which comprises:

a. inserting a plug-like structure having a fabric-like materialcovering a portion of the outer surface of the plug-like structure intothe vasal lumen to provide occlusion to the passage of sperm through thelumen, the plug-like structure composed at least in part of a materialadapted to be dissolved within a predetermined period of time, while inthe vasal lumen;

b. allowing the growth of cells into the fabric fabriclike material tosecure the plug-like structure in the vasal lumen and to preclude thepassage of sperm between the outer surface of the plug and the innerwall of the lumen; and

c. dissolving all or part of the dissolvable material through the use ofenzymes so as to provide a passageway for the sperm through the vasallumen after a predetermined period of time.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the material adapted to be dissolvedcomprises catgut, collagen, gelatin, starch, cellulose and cross-linkedpolysaccharides.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the material to be dissolved isdissolved through action of the tissue enzymes.

116. The method of claim 13 wherein the dissolvable material isdissolved by adding a dissolving agent into the vasal lumen.

17. The method of claim i3 wherein the dissolvable material is composedof cellulose, and wherein the dissolving agent is an enzyme whichdissolves the cellulose.

l8. The method of claim 13 wherein the plug-like structure is a hollowtube-like structure which includes a removable pin disposed therein andadapted to seal said tube-like structure, and which method includes thestep of providing a pin material made of a dissolvable material, anddissolving the pin after a predetermined period of time.

19. A device for the reversible occlusion of the vas deferens, whichdevice comprises:

a. a hollow tube-like structure characterized by having an outersurface, the structure adapted to be inserted into the vasal lumen ofthe vas deferens;

. means sealing either end of the tube-like structure prior to insertionin the vasal lumen, which means can be removed at a later period of timeto permit the passage of sperm through the interior of the tube-likestructure without removal of the structure from the lumen; and

. a fabric means disposed and secured to at least a portion of the outersurface of the tube-like structure to provide for fixation of tissue tothe fabric means through the growth of cells therein, thereby preventingthe passage of sperm between the outer surface and the inner wall of thevasal lumen.

26. The device of claim 19 wherein the sealing means of the tube-likestructure includes a removable pin disposed within the tube-likestructure and adapted to seal said structure.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein the fabric means disposed on theouter surface comprises a flock. material.

22. The device of claim 19 wherein the fabric means comprises apolyester or nylon material and the tubelke structure comprises asilicone rubber.

23. The device of claim 19 wherein the tube-like structure is a hollowtube-like structure characterized by an inner wall, and wherein thefabric means is also disposed on and secured to at least a portion ofthe inner wall.

24. The device of claim 19 wherein the tube-like structure containstherein a material which influences the rate of tissue growth.

25. The device of claim 19 wherein the tube-like structure containstherein a material which is spermicidal.

26. A reversible method of male sterilization, which method comprises:

a. inserting a hollow tube-like structure having a fabric-like materialcovering a portion of the outer surface into the vasal lumen, thetube-like structure sealed at either end thereof;

b. allowing the growth of tissue into the fabric to fix the sealedtube-like structure in the vasal lumen and to occlude the passage of thesperm through the vasal lumen; and

c. removing the seal from the tube-like structure when occlusion of thepassage of sperm is no longer desired, thereby permitting sperm to passagain through the interior of the tube-like structure and through thevasal lumen.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the tube-like structure is sealed byinserting a removable pin in the tube-like structure, and wherein theseal is removed by removing said pin.

28. The method of claim 26 which includes covering a portion of theinner surface of the hollow tube-like structure with a fabric-likematerial, and after removal of the seal of the tube-like structure,permitting the growth of cells into said fabric material on the innersurface.

29. The method of claim 26 which includes reopening the vasal lumen bycutting across the sealed tubelike structure at both ends in order toopen a channel for the passage of spermatozoa.

30. A contraceptive device for occlusion of a vas deferens whichcomprises:

a. a plug-like structure adapted to be inserted into the vasal lumen toprovide occlusion of the sperm through the vasal lumen;

the plug-like structure characterized by an outer surface, which surfaceis adapted to engage the inner wall of the vasal lumen; and

c. fabric means disposed on and secured to at least a portion of theouter surface to provide for fixation of tissue to said fabric meansthrough the growth of cells from the walls of the vasal lumen into thefabric so that passage of sperm between the outer surface of theplug-like structure and the inner wall of the vasal lumen is preventedby such tissue growth.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein the plug is generally cylindricallyshaped and composed of solid polymeric material, and wherein the fabricmeans is composed of a polymeric material compatible with the bodytissues.

32. The device of claim 3% wherein the plug is composed of siliconeresin and the fabric means is composed of nylon or polyester material.

33. The device of claim 30 wherein the fabric means 3 4? l ir i t h mgit e t erilization which comprises:

a. inserting a plug-like structure into the vasal lumen,

the plug-like structure characterized by an outer surface having afabric material thereon; and

b. allowing the growth of tissue from the inner wall of the vasal lumeninto the fabric material to occlude the passage of sperm between theouter wall of the plug-like structure and the inner wall of the vasallumen.

1. A device for the reversible occlusion of a body cavity, such as a vasdeferens or fallopian tube, which device comprises: a. a plug-likestructure adapted to be inserted into a body cavity to provide occlusionof the cavity, the structure characterized by an outer surface; b. afabric means disposed on and secured to at least a portion of the outersurface of the plug-like structure to provide for fixation of tissues tothe fabric means through the growth of cells therein; and c. all or apart of the device composed of a material adapted to be dissolved byenzymes while in the body cavity within a predetermined period of time,thereby permitting removal of the occlusion of the body cavity by thedevice.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug-like structure iscomposed of a material adapted to be dissolved by the tissue enzymes. 3.The device of claim 1 wherein the fabric means is composed of a materialadapted to be dissolved by the tissue enzymes.
 4. The device of claim 1wherein the device is composed of a material adapted to be dissolved bythe introduction of a dissolving agent.
 5. The device of claim 1 whereinthe plug is generally cylindrically shaped and composed of solidpolymeric material.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug comprisesa hollow tube-like structure, and wherein said plug is sealed at eitherend thereof.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the plug comprises ahollow tube-like structure, and includes a removable pin disposedtherein and adapted to seal said plug.
 8. The device of claim 7 whereinthe pin is composed of a material adapted to be dissolved by the actionof enzymes within a predetermined period of time.
 9. The device of claim1 wherein the device is composed of a material comprising catgut,collagen, gelatin, starch, cellulose and cross-linked polysaccharidesdissolvable by enzymes.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein the fabricmeans comprises a flock material.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein theplug-like structure comprises a silicone rubber, and the fabric meanscomprises a polyester or nylon material.
 12. A contraceptive device forthe reversible occlusion of a vas deferens, which device comprises: a. ahollow tube-like structure adapted to be inserted into the lumen of thevas deferens to provide occlusion of the sperm through the lumen, thetube-like structure characterized by an outer and inner surface; b. afabric means disposed on and secured to at least a portion of the outersurface to provide for fixation of the tissues from the inner wall ofthe lumen to the fabric means through the growth of cells therein; c. aremovable pin disposed within the tube-like structure aNd adapted toseal said structure; and d. all or part of the device composed of amaterial adapted to be dissolved within a predetermined period of time,thereby permitting removal of the occlusion caused by the device in thevasal lumen.
 13. A method for sterilization which comprises: a.inserting a plug-like structure having a fabric-like material covering aportion of the outer surface of the plug-like structure into the vasallumen to provide occlusion to the passage of sperm through the lumen,the plug-like structure composed at least in part of a material adaptedto be dissolved within a predetermined period of time, while in thevasal lumen; b. allowing the growth of cells into the fabric-likematerial to secure the plug-like structure in the vasal lumen and topreclude the passage of sperm between the outer surface of the plug andthe inner wall of the lumen; and c. dissolving all or part of thedissolvable material through the use of enzymes so as to provide apassageway for the sperm through the vasal lumen after a predeterminedperiod of time.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the material adaptedto be dissolved comprises catgut, collagen, gelatin, starch, celluloseand cross-linked polysaccharides.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein thematerial to be dissolved is dissolved through action of the tissueenzymes.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the dissolvable material isdissolved by adding a dissolving agent into the vasal lumen.
 17. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the dissolvable material is composed ofcellulose, and wherein the dissolving agent is an enzyme which dissolvesthe cellulose.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein the plug-likestructure is a hollow tube-like structure which includes a removable pindisposed therein and adapted to seal said tube-like structure, and whichmethod includes the step of providing a pin material made of adissolvable material, and dissolving the pin after a predeterminedperiod of time.
 19. A device for the reversible occlusion of the vasdeferens, which device comprises: a. a hollow tube-like structurecharacterized by having an outer surface, the structure adapted to beinserted into the vasal lumen of the vas deferens; b. means sealingeither end of the tube-like structure prior to insertion in the vasallumen, which means can be removed at a later period of time to permitthe passage of sperm through the interior of the tube-like structurewithout removal of the structure from the lumen; and c. a fabric meansdisposed and secured to at least a portion of the outer surface of thetube-like structure to provide for fixation of tissue to the fabricmeans through the growth of cells therein, thereby preventing thepassage of sperm between the outer surface and the inner wall of thevasal lumen.
 20. The device of claim 19 wherein the sealing means of thetube-like structure includes a removable pin disposed within thetube-like structure and adapted to seal said structure.
 21. The deviceof claim 19 wherein the fabric means disposed on the outer surfacecomprises a flock material.
 22. The device of claim 19 wherein thefabric means comprises a polyester or nylon material and the tube-likestructure comprises a silicone rubber.
 23. The device of claim 19wherein the tube-like structure is a hollow tube-like structurecharacterized by an inner wall, and wherein the fabric means is alsodisposed on and secured to at least a portion of the inner wall.
 24. Thedevice of claim 19 wherein the tube-like structure contains therein amaterial which influences the rate of tissue growth.
 25. The device ofclaim 19 wherein the tube-like structure contains therein a materialwhich is spermicidal.
 26. A reversible method of male sterilization,which method comprises: a. inserting a hollow tube-like structure havinga fabric-like material covering a portion of the outer surface into thevasal lumen, the tube-like structure sealed at either end thereof; B.allowing the growth of tissue into the fabric to fix the sealedtube-like structure in the vasal lumen and to occlude the passage of thesperm through the vasal lumen; and c. removing the seal from thetube-like structure when occlusion of the passage of sperm is no longerdesired, thereby permitting sperm to pass again through the interior ofthe tube-like structure and through the vasal lumen.
 27. The method ofclaim 26 wherein the tube-like structure is sealed by inserting aremovable pin in the tube-like structure, and wherein the seal isremoved by removing said pin.
 28. The method of claim 26 which includescovering a portion of the inner surface of the hollow tube-likestructure with a fabric-like material, and after removal of the seal ofthe tube-like structure, permitting the growth of cells into said fabricmaterial on the inner surface.
 29. The method of claim 26 which includesreopening the vasal lumen by cutting across the sealed tube-likestructure at both ends in order to open a channel for the passage ofspermatozoa.
 30. A contraceptive device for occlusion of a vas deferenswhich comprises: a. a plug-like structure adapted to be inserted intothe vasal lumen to provide occlusion of the sperm through the vasallumen; b. the plug-like structure characterized by an outer surface,which surface is adapted to engage the inner wall of the vasal lumen;and c. fabric means disposed on and secured to at least a portion of theouter surface to provide for fixation of tissue to said fabric meansthrough the growth of cells from the walls of the vasal lumen into thefabric so that passage of sperm between the outer surface of theplug-like structure and the inner wall of the vasal lumen is preventedby such tissue growth.
 31. The device of claim 30 wherein the plug isgenerally cylindrically shaped and composed of solid polymeric material,and wherein the fabric means is composed of a polymeric materialcompatible with the body tissues.
 32. The device of claim 30 wherein theplug is composed of silicone resin and the fabric means is composed ofnylon or polyester material.
 33. The device of claim 30 wherein thefabric means comprises a flock material.
 34. A method of malesterilization which comprises: a. inserting a plug-like structure intothe vasal lumen, the plug-like structure characterized by an outersurface having a fabric material thereon; and b. allowing the growth oftissue from the inner wall of the vasal lumen into the fabric materialto occlude the passage of sperm between the outer wall of the plug-likestructure and the inner wall of the vasal lumen.